Drop it like it’s hot by Vernon Summerlin Are you familiar with capsaicin? It’s the hot stuff in peppers, not the seeds but capsaicin is … Continue reading Recipes: Hot Fish Stew – It’ll Make You Sweat

    When I began cooking as an adult, my experiences with casseroles had been limited. First I thought they were just a baked mixture … Continue reading Mississippi Crappie Casserole

Corn Covered Crappie   A great many recipes for frying fish include cornmeal or corn flour. While cornmeal and corn flour are both made from … Continue reading Corn Covered Crappie

Crappie Shrimp Sauce & Butter Sauce by Vernon Summerlin Cayenne pepper is one of my favorite tongue teasers and an ingredient in many hearty dishes, … Continue reading CRAPPIE SHRIMP SAUCE & BUTTER SAUCE

“HERE COMES SANTA CLAUSE, HERE COMES SANTA CLAUSE” and so on until the children are restless for dinner. ’Tis the season, but let’s prepare something … Continue reading LEAVE A PLATE OF FISH SALAD AND GRILLED VENISON FOR SANTA

The English word "barbecue" comes from the Spanish word barbacoa.  After Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, the Spaniards apparently found indigenous Haitians roasting meat over a grill … Continue reading Vernon’s (Summerlin) Recipe for Crappie BBQ

I thought I would personalize this French fish dish by adding the letter (“n”) into the term Véronique, which means to “prepare with or to … Continue reading Ver(n)onique Fillets

Lots of folks who provide recipes like to navigate into exotic and sometimes hard to navigate directions. This month we're getting back to the basics … Continue reading Bare Bones Basics for Frying Crappie

Before we get to this month’s recipes, let’s look at the basic kitchen tools you’ll need to get fish fillets from the fish, to the … Continue reading Cola-n-Beer Fried Crappie

To keep your kitchen a little cooler this summer, put your outdoor grill to work. To save time you can buy salad dressings and salsas. … Continue reading Summertime Grilled Crappie

The earliest known recipe for something similar to today’s potato chips is in William Kitchiner's cookbook The Cook's Oracle, published in 1817 in England. The … Continue reading Baked Fillets with Potato Chip Crust

We commonly think of table salt for recipes. Table salt has additives like iodine (to prevent thyroid disease) and an anti-caking agent to prevent lumping … Continue reading Salt-Baked Fish ‘n’ Stews

We commonly think of table salt when most recipes call for salt. Table salt has additives like iodine (to prevent thyroid disease) and an anti-caking … Continue reading Salt-Baked Fish ‘n’ Stews

Blackening fish should be done under a commercial hood or outside unless you want a sooty house, if so, cook on but turn off your … Continue reading Recipe: Blackened, Baked & Broiled Crappie Fillets

8-10 ounces crappie fillets, chopped 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 cup green onions, diced 1 cup fresh mushrooms, diced 1 cup fresh asparagus, diced 1 … Continue reading Crappie Stir Fry

Pickling began about 4,000 years ago. The process was developed to preserve foods including veggies, fruit, fish and meats. Pickled foods, especially cucumbers, are made … Continue reading Hot Peppered Pickled Crappie

When most of us think of chowder, New England comes to mind. The phonetic variant chowda, is believed to have originated in Newfoundland in the … Continue reading Tastes of from New England and Italy with a Sweet Southern Puddin’

Velouté is last one of the five mother sauces of classical cuisine we haven’t covered. It can be made with any white stock, but this … Continue reading Recipe: Fish Velouté Sauce and Grilled Crappie

Let’s take our cooking outside. We’ll grill and barbeque some fillets. Grilling is generally done quickly over moderate-to-high direct heat that produces little smoke while … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Grilled and BBQed Crappies

You don’t need a wok to stir-fry fish. A heavy skillet that holds the heat will work just fine. Now let’s wok up some fish … Continue reading Stir-Fried Crappie and Sauces

            Scampi, or Langoustines or Norway lobsters are roughly the size of a large crayfish and fished from silty bottom regions of the open Atlantic … Continue reading Crappie NOW Recipes: Crappie from the Oven

Golden, tasty strips of crappie fillets will become most pleasing after the batter ingredients have had time to mingle for at least an hour but … Continue reading Crappie Crispy Strips & Breakfast Taco

            The traditional Po Boy sandwich from Louisiana almost always contains fried seafood; shrimp, crawfish, oysters and crab. Here are some options for dressing up … Continue reading Crappie Rich Po Boy Sammiches – Ain’t Nuthin’ Po About’em

Étouffée is a dish found in both Cajun and Creole cuisine typically served with shellfish over rice. In French, the word étouffée literally means "smothered," … Continue reading A Spicier Christmas – Crappie Étouffée

Nutritionists claim breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That’s true in my case, however, I postpone dining until I can call it … Continue reading Crappies for Breakfast

Huevos Rancheros 2 (28-ounce) cans diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 onion, chopped 1/2 cup chopped canned green chiles … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits

I just added a gem to my cookbook library by Stacy Lyn Harris, Harvest. Chef Stacy Lyn is a fellow Alabamian and a bestselling author … Continue reading Fish Tacos

Let’s cook some fillets and add a couple of fish-enhancing tastes; sesame oil and soy sauce. Historically, sesame plants were cultivated more than 5,000 years … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Enhance Your Fried Crappies with Sesame and Soy

We’re having a simple meal of crappie fillets, smashed potatoes with banana bread for dessert. It contains my favorite three food groups: fish, fat and … Continue reading Quickie Crappie with a Side and Dessert

Let’s make stuff that’s all about being crispy except for some beans. We’ll bake some fillets, fry a few and crisp-up onion rings, both daintily … Continue reading Crispy Crumbed Crappie, Crispy Crappie Fritters and Crispy Onion Rings

Can you speak Italian? Sure you can. Say Parmigiano-Reggiano. You’ve just named the “King of Cheeses”. Parmesan, as we call it in the USA, is … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Parmesaned and Thymed Crappie Fillets

Boils and bakes are traditionally associated with coastal regions of the United States. Scandinavian immigrants get credit for bringing the fish boil to the Midwest … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Boiled Crappie Snacks

I was looking at a copy-cat recipe for KFC’s famous “secret” 11 herbs and spices and came across one of the ingredients call ‘Tellicherry” pepper. … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking and Tidbits: Chicken-Fried Crappie – So What Has Chicken Got To Do With Crappie?

By Vernon Summerlin             In keeping with the season, I’ve chosen a few special recipes. Dumpling is our English word for an ancient delicacy called … Continue reading Vernon’s Cooking & Tidbits: Crappies for Christmas

8 crappie fish fillets Salt ½ cup apple juice ¼ cup lemon juice 2 ounces creamed cheese, softened ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles 2 T. … Continue reading STUFFED BAKED CRAPPIE STACKS

Cook it Till it’s Black I fell in love with blackened fish at first taste. Cajun spices make whoopee with my taste buds. This was … Continue reading Cooking & Tidbits – Vernon Summerlin

Vernon Summerlin             Tortilla is Spanish meaning “small cake”. A flour or wheat tortilla is a type of soft, thin flatbread made from finely ground … Continue reading Recipes & Tidbits: Wrapping a Crappie in a Tortilla

(Plus, vinegar history lesson…Robbers and the Black Plague) by Vernon Summerlin             Vinegar, one of the ingredients in this month’s BBQ sauce recipe for crappie, … Continue reading Hoodoo BBQ and Spicy Fried Crappie with Puppy Silencers

For the last several months I’ve been sending you recipes that I consider bordering on elaborate to down-right complicated. To wind down summer I’m reviving … Continue reading Vern’s cooking & tidbits: Summer Crappie Revival

This recipe requires a heavy black-iron skillet for cooking. Serve the spicy crappie recipe over a spring salad mix of greens.  Note that there are … Continue reading BLACK-IRON SKILLET BUTTER-SEARED BLACKENED CRAPPIE

by Vernon Summerlin             Cerviche, gazpacho and vichyssoise are soups (continued from last month’s recipes) designed especially for summer because they are served cold.             … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Cool Crappie Soups for the Good Ol’ Hot Summertime

By Vernon Summerlin Soups or Stews?              Soups are similar to stews and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between them. … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits

1 lb. crappie fillets; washed, drained, and patted dry Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 T. lemon juice 1 T. orange marmalade 2 tsp. honey … Continue reading BROILED CRAPPIE w/ SAVORY ORANGE HONEY SAUCE

Vernon Summerlin             Last month I ran out of space before I could offer you this au gratin casserole dish. You can use catfish, bass, … Continue reading Crappie au Gratin Casserole & Fish Sauces

Vernon Summerlin This month we’re taking two of our crappie recipes on a European tour. In France we’re fixin’ a golden crusted baked fish, called … Continue reading Golden Crappie au Gratin & Sam-miches

1 pound fish fillets Salt 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium green pepper, finely chopped 3 T. butter 1(14.5.ounce) can petite chopped tomatoes, undrained … Continue reading CRAPPIE CREOLE on HOT RICE

SmokingSmoking and canning offer alternatives from traditional frying. You can smoke crappie but they're so hard to keep lit. (That's an old '60s joke ;>)Smoking … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Smoking and Canning

1 lb. crappie fillets 1 T. lemon juice Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs, more may be needed Spray oil … Continue reading SWEET & SOUR CHILI HOT CRAPPIE NUGGETS APPETIZER

Vernon Summerlin Let's go the other side of the world to try a Chinese dish for our crappie. Shui Zhu Yu is one of the … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Shui Zhu Yu (Sichuan Boiled Fish)

1 lb. crappie fish fillets 1 lemon cut in half plus 2 tsp. lemon juice for the sauce Salt to sprinkle on fish Freshly ground … Continue reading Baked CRAPPIE w/Spicy PARMESAN CRUST on TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFINS

Simple Crappie Recipes to Kick Off a Happy 2016 Goals for Making Life Go Your WayAt the turn of each year I like to set … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits:

1 lb. crappie fillets 1 whole loaf of French bread; bakery cooked, but not cut Butter, softened ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tsp. prepared horseradish 2 … Continue reading Fried Crappie & Buttered French Bread w/Spicy Sauce

Vernon Summerlin This month we're taking a little breakfast with our crappie entrée by using a pancake mix. This mouthwatering recipe will lure everyone to … Continue reading Blueberried Crappies & Seasoned Greetings!

by Vernon Summerlin Oven Fried Crappie1 pound crappie fillets1 cup Italian Style bread crumbs1 egg1/4 cup milkVegetable, canola or peanut oilSalt and pepperPreheat oven to … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Oven Fried, Spicy or Foiled

Vernon Summerlin While it's still warm outside, let's go to the grill one more time for some savory crappie fillets and, in honor of squirrel … Continue reading Grilled & BBQ Crappies & Squirrels

1 lb. crappie fish fillets 1/2 large sweet red pepper, sliced into strips 1 medium to large sweet onion Spray vegetable oil 1 tsp. extra … Continue reading ROASTED RED PEPPER, CAPERS, & ONION CRAPPIE

This recipe can be used for a main meal or as an appetizer. 1-1/2 lb. crappie fillets, cut into 1 to 2-bite pieces or nuggets … Continue reading CRAPPIE FISH POPPERS & FRIED CORNBREAD

If you like the flavor of mustard, whether on a sandwich, hotdog or with an entrée such as venison or duck, this recipe is for … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Mustard Fried Crappies

1 lb. fish fillets 2 large tomatoes, quartered Salt Freshly ground coarse black pepper 1½ T. soy sauce 1 tsp. cornstarch 1 T. (+ extra … Continue reading TOASTED SESAME SEED CRAPPIE w/ BROILED TOMATO WEDGES

Vernon Summerlin Salsa is sauce in Spanish. In English-speaking countries it usually refers to the sauces typical of Mexican cuisine known as salsa picante, particularly … Continue reading Grilled or Broiled Crappie with Pineapple Salsa

1 lb. crappie fish fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 T. bacon drippings or extra virgin olive oil 2 T. butter 2 T. plain … Continue reading CRAPPIE SAUTE w/ SUN-DRIED TOMATO SAUCE on PENNE PASTA

It's so easy to zest up your crappie for grilling by adding Italian dressing. If you cook on a grill, you may want to baste … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Fish-n-Foil Italian Style

By Vernon Summerlin I'm originally from L.A. (old joke about Lower Alabama). During my L.A. fishing days from the 40s to 60s, I didn't know … Continue reading Crappie with Rice Stuffing

1 lb. fish filletsSaltFreshly ground black pepper¼ tsp. garlic powder2 -3 T. extra virgin olive oil, more if needed during cooking2 frozen basil cubes½ of … Continue reading PAN SAUTE CRAPPIE with BASIL & OLIVE OIL

Grilled Venison BackstrapBy Vernon Summerlin Let's start with light meal of crappies and fruit salsa. Broiled Crappie with Salsa and Grilled Venison Backstrap1 large peach … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits

1 lb. crappie fish fillets 1-cup self-rising corn meal mix Vegetable oil for frying 6 T. butter, divided 1 T. small capers, drained and mashed … Continue reading Fried Crappie with Citrus-Butter Caper Sauce

By Vernon Summerlin It's spring and it's time to take it outside – cooking that is. This month we're going outdoors to grill some slab … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Cajun Grilled Crappies

1 lb. crappie fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper Italian seasoning 1 large onion 1 large fresh tomato 1 fresh lemon cut in half 4 … Continue reading CHEESY BAKED CRAPPIE STACKS

By Vernon Summerlin Some time ago CrappieNow ran my recipe for crappies with parmesan and peanuts. This month we'll cook with parmesan again but flavoring … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Baked Crappie Fillets with Parmesan & Herbs

1 lb. crappie fillets Salt 4 slices bacon 1 lb. red potatoes 1/3 medium onion 2 eggs, used separately Freshly ground black pepper ¾ cup … Continue reading CRAPPIE, BACON, & HASH BROWN BRUNCH

By Vernon Summerlin Origin of Corn FlakesCorn Flakes, believe it or not, were invented as part of an Anti-Sexual Crusade in the 18th and 19th … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Crushed and Crusty Crappie

¾ cup ketchup 1 T. (or more) refrigerated horseradish Juice of ½ of a large lemon 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 4 drops Tabasco sauce 1 … Continue reading “Man Up” Crappie Po-Boys

1 lb. fish fillets Salt to sprinkle on fish 8 oz. sliced baby portobella mushrooms 2 poblano peppers 2 T. extra virgin olive oil ½ … Continue reading CRAPPIE TORTILLA WRAPS

  Vern's Cooking & Tidbits By Vernon Summerlin I'm sure you've heard the rhetorical question "Who was the first person to eat a raw oyster?" … Continue reading Recipe – Mushroomed Crappie

1 lb. crappie fish fillets Fish fry mix or self-rising corn meal mix 6 -8 medium-size red potatoes Vegetable oil for frying Tony Chachere's Original … Continue reading Fried Crappie & Big, Fat Reds

When I lived in Minnesota I fished the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and the wilderness of southwest Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park where I'd often … Continue reading Crappie with Rice Stuffing

Vernon Summerlin Last month I promised a crappie recipe without using hot peppers. So mote it be... let's use herbs instead.When planting your garden, a … Continue reading Crappies & Herbs

1 lb. fish fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 to 3 large tomatoes, sliced 1 lemon, cut in half 1 large poblano pepper, seeded … Continue reading Baked CRAPPIE & Tomato Au Gratin

For the last several issues I've featured crappies with hot peppers. I was going to ease up on your taste buds... yes, but I have … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits: Hot Peppered Pickled Crappie

1 lb. crappie fillets Fish fry mix of choice Vegetable oil for frying 1 T. butter 1 T. olive oil 2 large onions, sliced in … Continue reading FRIED CRAPPIE W/Browned ONION & PEPPER Rings

1 lb. crappie fillets 2 T. soy sauce ½ tsp. cornstarch 4 tsp. cooking sherry ½ tsp. ground ginger 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper 4 … Continue reading Asian-Style CRAPPIE with GREEN ONIONS

1 lb. crappie fillets ¼ tsp. salt plus salt to sprinkle Freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp. lemon juice plus 4 drops per fish fillet … Continue reading Crappie with Red Butter Sauce & Cashews

1 lb. crappie fillets 1 large ripe avocado, well mashed or puréed 1 clove garlic, finely minced 2 tsp. lemon juice 2 or 3 T. … Continue reading CRAPPIE Tacos with Guacamole & Tomatoes

1 lb. crappie fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup pecans, crushed 1 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Thin slices of … Continue reading Crisp PECAN-CRUMB Baked CRAPPIE

By Vernon Summerlin One of America's favorite breakfast foods is the pancake, also called hotcake and flapjack. Archaeological evidence suggests that pancakes are probably the … Continue reading Vern Cooking & Tidbits: Crappies & Pancakes

by Vernon SummerlinIt took a little while for me to appreciate eating raw fish (except tuna). Ceviche may seem like raw fish but it's chemically … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits – Crappie Ceviche

Make or purchase a dipping sauce for the tempura, if desired. 1 lb. crappie fish fillets, washed and dried 1 large sweet red pepper 1 … Continue reading CRAPPIE TEMPURA with Veggies

by Vernon Summerlin CrappieNow editor Tim Huffman and I were exchanging emails; he was bragging 'bout the bucks he's taken this season and I was … Continue reading Vern’s Cooking & Tidbits – Crappie and Venison

1 lb. crappie fillets ½ cup plain flour 1/3 cup butter Salt Freshly ground black pepper ½ cup blanched, slivered almonds ½ cup heavy cream … Continue reading CRAPPIE with Slivered ALMOND SAUCE and TOMATO Slices

1 lb. crappie fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper ½ cup plain flour 2 eggs 1 cup self-rising corn meal Vegetable oil for frying Wash … Continue reading Southern Fried CRAPPIE w/Cornbread Dressing & Cranberry Salad

Vernon Summerlin Do you know your cheeses? Parmigiano-Reggiano is considered one of the world's greatest. It remained at the top of the connoisseurs Best Cheeses … Continue reading Fried Whole Crappie with Parmesan Peanut Crust

By Vernon Summerlin Turkey restoration has been incredible in my home state of Tennessee. I usually see two or three fields with birds numbering from … Continue reading Cooking & Tidbits Turkey, Stuffing & Crappie

Cook the crappie fillet recipe in heavy-duty aluminum foil packets on a - Charcoal Fire-Pit, Charcoal Grill, or Gas Grill (Packets can also be baked … Continue reading Crappie CAMP OUT Recipe – No Clean Up!

This recipe can be made for one serving or for as many fish fillets as you want to cook. It is lightly spicy and crunchy … Continue reading Spicy LEMON-LIME Fried CRAPPIE

This recipe is from an old Army cookbook, dated August 27, 1946. Dwight David Eisenhower was listed in the cookbook as Chief of Staff. DEEP-FAT … Continue reading Recipe for a Huge, Patriotic FOURTH of JULY FISH FRY

by Darl Black It's June, and the start of my favorite period to catch crappies on natural lakes in northeastern and Great Lakes states. During … Continue reading VEGGIE CRAPPIES

1 (14.5) can chicken broth 1/3 cup dry white wine 2 T. diced oil-packed sun dried tomatoes 2 tsp. of the oil from the sun … Continue reading CRAPPIE Fish Fillets with a SUN-DRIED TOMATOES and WINE Sauce

6 to 8 crappie fish fillets Salt for fish fillets ½ of a fresh lemon 1 tsp. olive oil 1 to 1-1/4 cups cooked rice … Continue reading Baked Crappie w/ Confetti Rice

4 to 6 crappie fillets, washed, drained, and patted dry with paper towels Keebler's Original "Flipsides" Pretzel Crackers¾ cup buttermilk¾ cup plain flourSaltLemon-pepper pepper marinadeCanola … Continue reading Fried CRAPPIE with Lemon-Pepper Buttermilk Crust

4 to 6 crappie fish fillets Salt Freshly ground black pepper Paprika 1/2 cup sliced almonds or 2 oz. slivered almonds, toasted Juice of ½ … Continue reading CRAPPIE ALMONDINE

4 to 6 fish fillets Salt Italian seasoning Mild paprika 3 to 4 oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to sprinkle on the fish … Continue reading CRAPPIE ITALIANO

The same beer batter also makes really great fried onion rings. Double all of the recipe ingredients, except for the fish fillets; then cut one … Continue reading Cajun BEER-BATTERED CRAPPIE Fillets

Cook white rice or use leftover rice, if available. 4 to 6 fish filletsSaltFreshly ground black pepper1/2 tsp. fresh basil paste (can substitute a small … Continue reading Baked CRAPPIE Fillets w/ Savory RICE, WATER CHESTNUTS & BASIL

Salsa: 1 (16-oz.) can black beans 2 to 4 green onions, thinly sliced w/green tops ½ to 1 small Roma tomato, diced 1 to 2 … Continue reading Tortilla-Topped Baked CRAPPIE w/ BLACK BEAN Salsa